The Grassroots Charter is a development tool for Member Associations to raise the quality of their grassroots programmes.

It identifies 20 performance categories, such as grassroots competitions, fairplay, partnerships and personal development, which have all been met by MFF.

AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh elaborated on the meaning of grassroots football as well as the goal of the Grassroots Charter, saying: “Grassroots Football is the foundation of football and its primary purpose is to increase the level of interest and participation among the players, coaches, volunteers and organisers.

"The AFC Grassroots Charter is a dynamic tool to help MAs develop their grassroots programmes. The charter is also an endorsement programme which recognises and supports the MAs in their efforts to further develop their grassroots programmes in line with the criteria set by AFC.”

The panel members discussed the challenges and ways to further streamline the assessment process, as well as the strategy for the further development of the project.

AFC Grassroots manager Masahiro Sugiyama shared the latest news with the panel on the AFC President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football 2018 as well as the upcoming AFC Grassroots Football Day 2019, which will take place15 May, 2019.

LAOS FOOTBALL FEDERATION

In the past year, LFF has placed great emphasis in grassroots development through various activities, enriching the lives of over 1,654 children throughout the Southeast Asian country.

Programmes such as the LFF Out Reach, MA Holiday Course and MA Grassroots Football are in place with the Laos Ministry of Education and Sports & Provisional Department of Education as its main partners.

The Grassroots Charter is a development tool for Member Associations to raise the quality of their grassroots programmes.

It identifies 20 performance categories, such as grassroots competitions, fairplay, partnerships and personal development, which have all been met by FA Thailand.

The Silver Membership was awarded to the Jordan Football Association (JFA), while Vietnam Football Federation ((VFF) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) were given Bronze Memberships.

The AFC Grassroots Charter is a development tool with the aim of raising the quality of grassroots programmes across the Continent. It identifies 20 performance categories such as grassroots competitions, fairplay, partnerships and personal development.

The three-day conference attracted 100 dedicated grassroots representatives from 41 Members Associations (MA) who share and support the AFC’s Vision to ensure that football remains as the most popular sport in Asia.

In his keynote address, AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh stressed on the importance of ‘The Serious Business of Fun Football.”

Three new AFC Special Grassroots Awards were introduced this year and claiming the first-ever Best Grassroots Leader 2018 award was Cheah Swee Ming of Brunei Darussalam, followed by Malaysia’s Matrix Community FC as the Best Grassroots Club 2018 and the JFA Festival in Japan clinching the Best Grassroots Project 2018 award.
Rada Krishan Nadesan of Malaysia claimed runner-up in the Best Grassroots Leader 2018 while Australia’s Lochinvar Rovers FC and SALT Academy of the Football Federation of Cambodia finished second in the Best Grassroots Club 2018 and Best Grassroots Project 2018 respectively.